Design and Technology (Product Design)

Course summary

The specification has been designed to encourage candidates to take a broad view of design and technology, to develop their capacity to design and make products and to appreciate the complex relations between design, materials, manufacture and marketing. Unit 1 – Materials, components and application Section A: Materials and components: natural woods, man-made boards, laminates and veneers, ferrous metals, non-ferrous metals, alloys, polymers, biodegradable polymers, elastomers, composites, compliant materials, smart materials, modern materials, product components and adhesives. Section B: Design and market influences: Environmental/ sustainability issues, ergonomics and anthropometrics, inclusive design and consumer safety. Section C: Processes and manufacture: Fabrication methods, forming methods, redistribution methods, wasting processes, CAM processing, finishing materials and processes, health and safety and quality control. Unit 2 – Learning through designing and making This is a design-and-make unit where knowledge of the subject content is applied to the design and making of the candidate’s own projects. Unit 3 – Design and manufacture Section A: Materials and components Section B: Design and market influences Section C: Processes and manufacture. Unit 4 – Design and making practice This is a design-and-make unit where knowledge of the subject content is applied to the design and making of the candidates’ own projects. The 2nd Year NEA Design Project is a chance to design a client/based product which the student investigates a problem and designs and makes a prototype model. Where possible the materials will be provided but each student will need to work to a budget and contribute to additional costs if required.